HERO
After mostly flying under the radar in two seasons as a Giant, outside linebacker Michael Boley had the game of his life with a 65-yard fumble return for a touchdown, a near-sack of Sam Bradford, a third-down pass breakup that limited the Rams to a field goal and eight tackles. Boley might want to work on his end-zone celebration, though, after hitting two bystanders in the face with the ball.
UNSUNG HERO
Kevin Gilbride didn’t give Ahmad Bradshaw the damn ball as much as Bradshaw demanded last week, but the Big Blue back made the most of his chances with 15 carries for 59 yards and five catches for another 45 yards. Bradshaw was running downhill all night, and his legs set up the second-half touchdown that made it 28-9 and put it out of reach.
ZERO
How long has Cadillac Williams played football? The Rams’ backup running back — starting in place of the injured Steven Jackson — didn’t know that a backwards pass is a live ball until last night. That inexcusable brain cramp cost St. Louis big, as Williams allowed Boley to pick up the loose pigskin and sprint the other way for a back-breaking score early in the second quarter. Even worse, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo was seen having to explain the rule to Williams on the sideline afterward.
KEY MOMENT
Boley’s fumble return was huge, but it was preceded by an even bigger momentum-shifter in the first quarter when Rams fill-in punt returner Greg Salas — a rookie playing only because of Danny Amendola’s injury — muffed a kick into the arms of the Giants’ Dave Tollefson. The turnover, after St. Louis had marched at will on its opening drive, was converted into a touchdown that gave the Giants the lead for good.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
‘If we can get a win with [Michael] Vick in the game, that would be a confidence booster.’ — Giants LB Mathias Kiwanuka, already looking ahead to next week’s showdown with the Eagles